Profiling of subgingival plaque biofilm microflora of healthy and periodontitis subjects by real-time PCR

Abstract

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Mogibacterium timidum were more frequently detected in subgingival microflora of periodontitis than that of healthy subjects. However, few have been investigated to quantify these bacteria in subgingival microflora. This study aimed to quantify P. gingivalis and M. timidum, as well as other 11 bacteria, e.g., Tannerella forsythia and Eubacterium saphenum, in subgingival plaque, and to evaluate their relationship with periodontitis. Subgingival plaque was obtained from 12 periodontally healthy (mean 26.4 years) and 28 periodontitis (mean 62.4 years) subjects. Total and target bacteria were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal and species-specific primers, respectively. The proportion of obligate anaerobes, including P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and E. saphenum, was higher in periodontitis subjects than in healthy subjects. These results suggest an environmental shift in subgingival area toward more suitable for obligate anaerobes in periodontitis subjects.